Centrifugal water-clarifier.



No. 656,474. Patented Aug. 2|, I900;

F. H. RICHARDSON. GENTRIFUGAL WATER GLABIFIE R. (Application filed mac.7, 1899.)

(No Model.)

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WITNESSES No. 656,474. Patented Aug. 2|, I900.

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GENIBIFUGAI. WATEB-CLABIFIER.

(Application; filed Dec. 7, 1899 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK HERBERT RICHARDSON, OF PUEBLO, COLORADO.

CENTRIFUGAL WATER-CLARIFIER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 656,474, dated August21, 1900.

Application filed Decathlon-'7, 189 9. $eria1No.'739,523. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANK HERBERT RICH- ARDSON, a citizen of the UnitedStates, and a resident of Pueblo, in the county of Pueblo and State ofColorado, have invented a new and Improved Centrifugal Olarifier, ofwhich the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to devices for removing solid matter andimpurities from liquids, particularly water;- and the object is toprovide a simple device for this purpose adaptedto be arranged in awater-main or supply;pipe and by centrifugal action thoroughly separatetheimpurities fromthe water passing through the pipe. q

I will describe a centrifugal clarifier embodying my invention and thenpoint out the novel features in the appended claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part ofthis specification, in which similar characters of reference indicatecorresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a clarifier embodying my invention,taken on the line 1 1 in Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a sectionon the line 2 2 ofFig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a sectional detail showing a valve mechanismemployed.

Referring to the drawings, ,1 2 designate two sections of a water-mainor supply-pipe, and mounted to rotate relatively to these sections ofpipe is a separating-casing 3 of cylindrical form and divided intoupper: and lower chambers 4 5 by means of a partition'6. A pipe-section7 connects with a plate-like casting 8, secured to the partition 6, andthe lower end of this pipe 7 connects with the pipe-section 1 in suchmanner as to rotate therein. A pipe-section 9 extends upward from thecasting 8 and connects with the pipe-section 2 in such manner as torotate therein.

The lower portion 5 of the separator-casing is provided withradially-disposed partitions 10, which with the partition 6 and thelower wall 11 of the casing form chambers 12 for receiving Waterdischarged from the pipe 7 through ports 13, formed in said pipe. Wa terpasses from these chambers 12 through ports 14, formed in the partition6, and thence from the chamber 4 through ports 15 into the pipe-section9. At the outer end of each chamber 12 a perforated plate 16 isvertically arranged, the height of said plate, however, being less thanthe distance between the wall 11 and the partition 6, so that an opening17 is provided at the top for the passage of water, as will behereinafter described. Arranged within the space, one wall of which isformed by the plate 16, is a casing 18, the

wall of which adjacent to the plate 16 is provided with perforations 19.This casing 18 serves as a valve to more or less closethe openingsthrough the plate 16. Connected to the casing 18 by means of rods 20 isa plugvvalve 21, designed to control an opening through the bottom wall11 of the separatorcasing. Attached to the pipe-section 9 above theseparator-casing is a pulley 22 for engagement with a band driven by anysuitable motor. To equalize or balance the casing during its rotarymotion, the spaces 23 between the partitions 10, forming the chambers12, should be filled with water. Therefore I provide the partition 6with openings 24, through which water may pass into said spaces 23, andthe water may be drawn there from through valve-controlled pipes 25.

In operation as the separating-cylinder is rapidly rotated the waterflowing from the pipe 1 and thence through the ports 13 will pass intothe chambers 12 and by centrifugal action will be carried toward theperiphery of the casing. v

Heavy matter, such as dirt or sand orother impurities, .Will be carriedout and will pass through perforations in the plates 16 and theperforations 19 into the casings 18, at the bottom of which theimpurities will settle. The clear water will pass upward through theports 14 and thence through the pipes 9 and 2. The impurities collectedin the casings 18 are designed to be discharged through the at 17,whichwill cause the sediment or matter collected in the casings to bethoroughly washed out.

To prevent vibrations of the clarifier when rotating rapidly, I arrangeit in a well 27, of any suitable material, and on the top of the wall ofthe well is a metal coping 28, in which the lower trunnions of rollers29 have bearing, while the upper trunnions have bearing in a ring 30.The rollers should be placed close together, but not to touch oneanother. Neither should they touch the periphery of the separator,except there be vibration thereof.

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent 1. An apparatus for clarifyingliquids,comprising a casing mounted to rotate, a partition dividing saideasing into upper and lower compartments, a pipe having communicationwith the lower compartment, a pipe having communication with the uppercompartment, radially disposed partitions forming side walls of chambersin the lower portion of the device, perforated plates near the outerends of said chambers, and a casing movable adjacent to each plate andhaving perforations, substantially as specified.

2. A device for clarifying liquids, comprising a casing mounted torotate, a partition in said casing dividing the same into upper andlower compartments, a pipe having communication with the lowercompartment, a pipe having communication with the upper compartment,chambers in the lower compart' ment, perforated plates near-the outerends of said chambers, a casing having a perforated wall and arrangedadjacent to each plate, and valves carried by said casings forcontrolling openings through the bottom wall of the clarifier,substantially as specified.

3. A device for clarifying water, comprising a casing mounted to rotaterelatively to main or supply-pipes, a partition dividing said easinginto upper and lower compartments, the said compartments communicatingone with the other through ports formed in the partition, pipescommunicating with the said upper and lower compartments,radially-disposed partitions in the lower compartment forming side wallsof the water-receiving chambers, a perforated plate near the outer endof each of said chambers, there being a space between the upper end ofthe plate and the partition, a casing movable adjacent to each of saidplates and having a perforated wall, a plug-valve carried by each ofsaid casings for controlling an opening through the bottom wall of theclarifier, and means for opening said valves, substantially asspecified;

4. The combination with a water-main or supply-pipe, of a casing mountedto rotate relatively to said pipes, the said casing being divided intoupper and lower compartments, water-receiving chambers in the lower compartment,and valves for controlling openings in the bottom wall of thecasing, and

means for automatically moving said valves to open position,substantially as specified.

5. A device for clarifying liquid, comprising a casing mounted to rotaterelatively to a main or supply-pipe, automatically-actuated valves forpermitting the escape of sep arated material, a well in which the deviceis arranged, and rollers on the top of the wellwall with which theperiphery of the casing may engage to prevent vibrationthereof,substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I have signed my named to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRANK HERBERT RICHARDSON.

Witnesses:

JosEPH A. GREENE, LEOTA WILLITS.

